Chapter 58: A Change in Attitude

“Recognize the door? What makes you think you can recognize the door to our home? What gives you that right?” Liu Mingli immediately launched into a harsh rebuke the moment Wu Ya finished speaking, showing no mercy whatsoever. His words dripped with unmistakable sarcasm.

Recognize the door? Come visit us? How thick-faced must you be to utter such shameless words?

Never mind that our family is not something someone like you could ever aspire to. Let’s talk about our attitude. From the moment you stepped in, we made it abundantly clear you weren’t welcome. We’ve repeatedly asked you to leave. Yet you? Not only did you stay, now you want to “recognize the door!” You really don’t know your place!

“What’s your name? Oh, never mind! I have no interest in knowing! So young, yet so shameless. If I let you keep seeing Liu Qian, you’d surely lead her astray! Get out, right now! Or I’ll call the police and report you for trespassing!” Lin Yongfen spoke even more bluntly, not even bothering to learn Wu Ya’s name. While driving him out, she began to threaten him. If he wouldn’t listen? She’d call the police!

At that, the situation in the room became completely deadlocked. It was clear Wu Ya had no choice but to leave. Even if he wasn’t afraid of the police, he didn’t want to offend these two elders—his future father- and mother-in-law!

“I…” He was about to maintain a polite and respectful farewell when Liu Qian suddenly spoke.

“Mom, Dad, you keep saying it’s for my future, for my prospects. But in truth, isn’t it just about marrying someone of equal status to satisfy your vanity? Ultimately, it’s just your snobbery!” Her words were sharp, her expression filled with grief and indignation.

Her parents—those she’d always respected above all others—had, on Wu Ya’s first visit, acted with such lack of decorum! Even a cordial welcome followed by a gentle refusal would have preserved some dignity between them. Or at least, let Wu Ya introduce himself, learn about him, and then make a decision. That would show they acted with reason. Instead, they judged solely by appearances, rendering a shallow verdict right away.

But they kept mocking and ridiculing him, even driving him out, leaving no room for reconciliation!

What did this behavior show, besides their opportunism? If they knew Wu Ya had created a miracle in the securities market, how would they end up then? Would their attitude remain the same? Certainly not!

So Liu Qian was furious. She spoke up not only for Wu Ya but out of shame for her parents.

“Liu Qian, you’re getting more and more out of line!”
“That’s right, Liu Qian! Look at yourself—just what have you become?”

Her words ignited the room with tension. Liu Mingli and Lin Yongfen stared at Liu Qian in disbelief. Was this still their always obedient, never defiant daughter? She had changed! Now she dared to speak to her parents this way, to openly contradict them in front of an outsider! And all because of this young man! All these changes started after she met him.

Evidently, their daughter had been led astray by this person of humble origins. She was already so unreasonable—what would happen if this continued?

“Mom, Dad, I haven’t changed. It’s you who have become blinded by greed, judging only by appearances! Wu Ya may dress simply, but he’s a man of enterprise! He single-handedly saved his family’s tailor shop from the brink of bankruptcy, and now it’s the largest business in the market! The wholesale business even reaches three neighboring districts. Is such a young man really mediocre?”

Seeing her parents’ agitation, Liu Qian suppressed her resentment. No matter what, they were her own flesh and blood. Their experiences over the years had made them prioritize self-interest, which was understandable. After all, they had once belonged to society’s lower rungs; the humility and scorn they’d endured made them determined she would never suffer the same. Still, she couldn’t accept their methods. So she tried to reason with them again.

“What? At his age, he already has his own business?” Liu Mingli’s face was filled with astonishment; his earlier anger vanished in an instant.

“Girl, what are you saying? He personally revived his family’s tailor shop, and now it’s the biggest in the market? You aren’t just making things up so you can keep seeing him, are you?” Lin Yongfen’s expression was even more exaggerated, brimming with disbelief.

How old was this young man—at most, the same age as their daughter, eighteen? Yet he already had his own business? Regardless of whether it was big or small, to revive his family’s business at that age was stunning enough! Not to mention, he managed to secure the leading share in the market.

This young man clearly had some ability!

“Mom, Dad, have your daughter ever lied to you?” Seeing their skeptical faces, Liu Qian spoke with unwavering determination.

It was true—she had never lied to them, not once. Especially as her mother knew her best. The clarity in her daughter’s eyes showed she was telling the truth!

Still, the idea that an eighteen-year-old had his own thriving business was hard for the couple to accept, no matter how much they wracked their brains. Little did they know, Liu Qian herself found it incredible and hadn’t mentioned Wu Ya’s achievements with bonds for fear of shocking them. Had she done so, their minds would surely have collapsed!

This was no ordinary youth—he was a prodigy in business!

“Uncle, Aunt, it’s really nothing. Liu Qian is exaggerating; she gives me too much credit.” Seeing the couple standing there, stunned and awkward, Wu Ya hurried to explain. After all, the atmosphere had shifted abruptly from hostility and rejection to disbelief. There needed to be a transition, lest he strain his future in-laws too much.

“Oh, um… What’s your name?” Liu Mingli hesitated, finally asking Wu Ya’s name.

“Yes, you’ve been here all this time, and we still don’t know your name!” True to her reputation as the most eloquent and adaptable person in the business circles, Lin Yongfen’s attitude now bordered on affectionate, as if they’d never opposed their daughter seeing this young man—perhaps even showing a hint of admiration.